Millage Rate Press Release

 

PRESS RELEASE

August 26, 2025

 

The Chickamauga City Board of Education is proposing to maintain its millage rate of 14.00 mills for 2025. Even though there is not an increase in the millage rate, the system will bring in more money due to the increase in assessed property values. This results in a 7.58% increase. How does this affect property owners? A home with an average fair market value of $250,000 will increase approximately $98.70. Nonhomestead property with an average fair market value of $175,000 will increase approximately $69.09.

Over the past year the Chickamauga City Board of Education has provided tax relief to property owners. In September 2023, the millage rate was rolled back 0.25 mills, to 14.00 mills, to help offset the increase in assessed property values. In February 2025, the school board voted to NOT opt out of HB 581 which established a statewide floating homestead exemption that limits the annual increase in property tax assessments on homestead properties. What does this mean to a property owner? A home with an average current fair market value of $250,000 is reassessed at $300,000. Forty percent of the reassessed value is $120,000. Rather than being taxed on $120,000 and paying $1,680.00 in property tax, the 40% reassessed value is capped at the rate of inflation (approximately 4%). You would then be taxed on $104,000 and only pay $1,456.00. This is a savings of $224.00.

Also, the Board of Education fully supports the proposed tax exemptions that will appear on the ballot in the November 2025 election. These exemptions aim to provide property tax relief for older residents:

1. A full city school tax exemption for citizens age 75 or older who meet specific eligibility requirements.
2. A partial city school tax exemption for citizens age 70 or older who meet specific eligibility requirements.

Due to inflation, rising expenses, and unfunded state mandates, the district is experiencing higher costs in areas such as employee benefits, insurance, utilities, technology, instructional materials, and facility maintenance. While the state traditionally provides around 60% of school funding, the district depends on local property tax revenue to uphold high academic standards, attract and retain quality teachers and staff, and properly maintain school facilities.

The Board of Education is holding public hearings on September 11, 2025, at 11:30 am and 6:00 pm and September 18, 2025, at 4:30 pm at the Chickamauga City Board of Education Central Office, 402 Cove Rd., Chickamauga, GA.